The Wilmingtonian., 1887-01-22


SAYS -
Rotation in office unless in very exception
al cases, l regard as cardinal principle ap-
plicsble to the subject Of appointments by
the governor. That that principle should be
respected by me was made manifest by the
convention which nomnlted me. That
convention passed a resolution condemning
reappointments in resrect to certain offices.
bel eve that their action was wise, aud thai
the reappointment of incumbents at the eI-
piration of their original terms generally is
Improper, but unfair to others b wing equal
qualifications and equally worthy of recognl-
ttion by the appointing power. shall deem
1t my daty during my term of office to make
NO reappointmcnts where the nature of the
Office aud the public interests d. net justify
the same.
In determining whom shall appoint to Of
flee shall make all proper and needrul in
vestigation as to qualification, and shall be
governed by the considerations herein men,
toned. deem it proper, however, to say !:
That while shall pay great resp ct and def
e'enoe to the opinion Of my fellow cit zens
generally, my action in this respect VIII not
he determined by the number of signers to
to the petitions Of applicants for Office, nor
the nimber of letters which may be address
ed to me in their behalf
In regard to a constitutional convention
Governor Bggs said s.
my views upon the suhj"ct of a constitu-
tional convention are we'll known. As
member of the constitutional convention OF
1852, I assisted in framing the consultation
agreed upon by that body. Not &ay did
support it in convention, but in public ad-
dresses before the people l advocated its rat
ification. My.etforts and the efforts of 9TH
ers to secure its adoption by the people were
unsuccessful. The views l then entertained,
however, in respect to the necessity and pro-
pIiety of a change in the fundamental law OF
the State have not been altered. The changes
therein then advocated favor to day ss
governor of the State. wish to FAY, how
ever, If the General Assembly shall in their
wisdom see proper to provide for the calling
OF convention, had forl the.Isubmssion to
the people of any constitution which may be
framed by such convention, l as AN earnest
advocate of constitutional reform by means
of a convention, and the adoption OF a. new
constitution in lieu of the existing one,
would suggest that all the proceedings OF
the General Assembly in relation thereto,
should be had in strict accordance with Arti-
Gle TX of the present constitution of tht
State, and all the requirements of sAidI arti-
Gle should be scrupulously observed. My
reason fer this suggestion is based upon a
belief that opposition will be made to tie
adoption OF any constitution that may be
framed, and in order that as little oavil aDt
objection may be made as possible, it il
proper that no steps which might in the leasr
be considered revolutionary, be taken t,
hasten that which must surely cone
The constitution is the fundamental law OF
the State. 1t cannot be changed in any re-
apect by tho legislature which islits creature
and wholly subordinate to 1t, aud sly at.
tempt to over ride it wond not only be .
dangerous but pernicious precedent II,
therefore, the Legislature OF Delaware sees
proper to pass an act submitting the ques-
tion of an alteration of the const tuition Of
the State to the voters, hope that in all leg.
isla'ion in respect thereto it will have just
regard for the present constitution of the
State, and that all measures looking thereto
will conform to its requirements. If, how
however, the General Assembly at its pres
eut session shall not consider it wise and
proper to call State convention for the re.
vision of the present constitution, it is in
their power, and think they should exer,
else it, to take the initiatory steps for ii.
amendment in the mode prescribed in the
ninth article thereof, Tnen follows thai
article of the constitution which provide.
for constitutional amendments.
Upon the subject Of District R presenta
he says -
Whatever mode Of amen iment to the con.
stitution of the State may be adopted in my
judgment the time has arrived when a
change should be made in the manner Of